hives

American  

[hahyvz] / haɪvz /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. any of various eruptive conditions of the skin, as the wheals of urticaria.

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hives British  

/ haɪvz /

noun

1. (functioning as singular or plural) pathol a nontechnical name for urticaria

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hives Scientific  

/ hīvz /

1. A skin condition characterized by transient, itching welts, usually resulting from an allergic reaction.

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hives Cultural  

1. A condition characterized by the sudden appearance of red, raised areas on the skin that itch severely. Hives may be caused by an allergic reaction (see allergy) to foods or other substances.

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Etymology

Origin of hives

First recorded in 1490–1500; originally Scots; of obscure origin

Example Sentences

This club of apiarists -- ranging from hobbyists to full-time commercial bee farmers -- gathers regularly to learn new skills and discuss tricky problems, not least the parasitic varroa mites that plague their hives.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

"Both my mum and my grandma, they've both got suits and they like to come and help me out on occasion, when I'm checking on the hives."

From BBC • May 14, 2026

I jumped up and I had hives and bumps from the bites.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Working with collaborators from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Queen Mary University of London, Nieh and his team studied bees in controlled hives designed to mimic natural conditions.

From Science Daily • Mar. 24, 2026

“We’re a mess!” she said, pointing to the hives now covering her face.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

Related Words

• epidemic
• eruption
• flood
• spate
• wave